Pecos council public comment: candidate alleges city leadership used social media to influence voters

Jeff Martinez, identified in public comment as a Pecos resident and current city council candidate, used his allotted time to allege that members of the current city administration had publicly singled him out on social media during early voting and said he believed the actions amounted to unfair treatment.

Martinez said he could not name specific officials under the city's public-comment rules but described being tagged by a "top ranking official" on a personal Facebook page and said his name was posted by the same official on the second day of early voting "right before the polls opened." Martinez said he wanted a public apology and expressed concern about retaliation. "Tonight, I'm asking for a public apology during public comments, if you may," Martinez said.

The council did not reply during public comment; the mayor reminded speakers that councilors do not respond during the public-comment period. Martinez's remarks were delivered as public comment, which the council treats as a non-decisional forum. No evidence of administrative action or investigation was recorded in the transcript during the meeting.

Ending: The allegation was raised during public comment and the speaker requested a public apology; the council did not respond during the public-comment period and no motion or formal investigation was recorded in the meeting minutes as part of this item.